So you want to make an infographic, but don’t know where to start? There are always problems that many businesses encounter when creating an infographic. You may not be a graphic designer, but there’s plenty of opportunity to share complex information in a simplistic way. Here are our top tips:
1. Answer a question
Before you start, fuse an idea. See your infographic as the answer to a complex question and simplify it. You can present your information in many formats, so use a mixture of numbers and text through facts and figures.
2. Choose your canvas
Piktochart.com is a useful and free infographic creation website that provides a choice of templates and an array of tools. Minimalistic isn’t necessarily bad – you can always edit as you go.
3. Research
The broader the subject, the more information you’ll collect. Focus on a certain angle and gather your research based a smaller topic, rather than overwhelming your brain. Look at existing infographics for inspiration on layouts and designs to make sure you’re heading in the right direction.
4. Development and mapping
Customise your fonts and colour scheme - we recommend using no more than four colours. The simplicity of your infographic will be visually appealing and makes text easier to read. Use icons to support statistics, as it reinforces the context. Try to establish a route in your design. Try using arrows or guidelines to break up the information and visualise a map.
5. Final checks and publish
Have you included sources at the bottom of your infographic? Has it been proofread? Hit publish and you can download PNG or JPEG files. You can also share it via email, on social media or embed it in a blog on your website via HTML. If you decide to distribute it remember to include a form of copyright at the end. Now it’s time to present it.
